Moorhead City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 12
RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
10-12-1: PURPOSE:
The purpose of residential districts is to establish predictability for the density, arrangement and location of residential development within the community. The districts are intended to preserve and strengthen existing neighborhoods and build new neighborhoods with equal or greater livability, consistent with the vision and key elements established in the comprehensive plan. (Ord. 2006-27, 9-5-2006)
10-12A-1: PURPOSE:
The RLD-1 district is intended to provide for a low density residential environment characterized by large lots with single-family housing and outbuildings. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12A-2: PERMITTED USES:
See residential use table in section 10-18-1 of this title for permitted uses. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12A-3: ACCESSORY USES:
The following are permitted accessory uses in an RLD-1 district:
Noncommercial greenhouses and conservatories.
Private residential garages, parking spaces and carports. Private residential garages are to be used for storing the private passenger vehicles belonging to the family upon the premises, and shall not be used to conduct commercial business, service or industry.
Private swimming pools, tennis courts and other recreational facilities.
Sheds and similar buildings for storage of domestic supplies and noncommercial recreational equipment.
Towers supporting amateur radio antennas and which meet the requirements of chapter 17, article D of this title. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12A-4: PROVISIONAL USES:
10-12A-5: CONDITIONAL USES:
10-12A-6: LOT REQUIREMENTS AND SETBACKS:
The following requirements shall be observed in an RLD-1 district subject to the additional requirements, exceptions and modifications set forth in this title:
A. Lot area:
1. Dwelling: Twelve thousand five hundred (12,500) square feet per unit.
2. Other principal uses: No minimum.
B. Lot width:
1. Dwelling: Eight-five feet (85').
2. Other principal uses: No minimum.
C. Setbacks:
1. Dwelling:
a. Front yard and Rear yard: Thirty feet (30').
b. Interior side yard: Ten feet (10').
c. Street side yard: Fifteen feet (15') except side walls with garage doors must be twenty-five feet (25').
2. Other principal uses.
a. Front yard, Street side yard, Rear yard: Thirty feet (30').
(1) Front yard and Street side yard shall not be used for parking.
b. Interior side yard:
(1) If adjacent to a single-family use: Thirty feet (30').
(2) If adjacent to all other uses: Ten feet (10').
D. Design standards:
1. All principal and accessory uses must meet applicable site development standards in chapter 19 of this title, as approved by the zoning administrator.
2. Other principal uses:
a. All exterior walls must have equal design consideration to include materials, color, articulation and general aesthetics, as approved by the zoning administrator.
b. Building elevations that face a public street shall have either fifteen percent (15%) of the wall facing the street consisting of windows and/or entrance areas or include other design elements, as approved by the zoning administrator. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12A-7: MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT:
A. Principal buildings: Thirty-five feet (35'). (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12A-8: MAXIMUM IMPERVIOUS SURFACE COVERAGE:
Impervious surface coverage, inclusive of all structures, impermeable surface and detention ponds shall be limited to thirty-five percent (35%) of the lot area. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12A-9: ACCESSORY BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES AND USES:
In addition to above, as governed by section 10-18-3 of this title. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12B-1: PURPOSE:
The RLD-2 district is intended to provide for a mix of low-density housing types including single-family, two-family twin home or duplex and multi-family townhouse/rowhouse or triplex. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12B-2: PERMITTED USES:
See residential use table in section 10-18-1 of this title for permitted uses. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12B-3: ACCESSORY USES:
Noncommercial greenhouses and conservatories.
Private residential garages, parking spaces and carports. Private residential garages are to be used for storing the private passenger vehicles belonging to the family upon the premises, and shall not be used to conduct commercial business, service or industry.
Private swimming pools, tennis courts and other recreational facilities.
Sheds and similar buildings for storage of domestic supplies and noncommercial recreational equipment.
Towers supporting amateur radio antennas and which meet the requirements of chapter 17, article D of this title. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12B-4: PROVISIONAL USES:
10-12B-5: CONDITIONAL USES:
10-12B-6: LOT REQUIREMENTS AND SETBACKS:
The following requirements shall be observed in an RLD-2 district subject to the additional requirements, exceptions and modifications set forth in this title:
A. Lot area:
1. Dwelling: Six thousand (6,000) square feet per dwelling unit.
2. Other principal uses: No minimum.
B. Lot width:
1. Single-family: Forty-five (45') per dwelling unit.
2. Two-family and Multi-family: Twenty-five (25') per dwelling unit.
3. Other principal uses: No minimum.
C. Setbacks:
1. Dwelling:
a. Front yard: Twenty feet (20') except that dwellings with attached accessory garages with doors facing street must be twenty-five feet (25').
b. Rear yard: Twenty feet (20').
c. Interior side yard: Five feet (5').
(1) Common wall: Zero feet (0').
d. Street side yard: Twelve feet (12') except walls with garage doors facing street must be twenty-five feet (25').
2. Building separation between end units on same lot: Ten feet (10').
3. Other principal uses:
a. Front yard, Street side yard, Rear yard: Twenty-five feet (25').
(1) Front yard and Street side yard shall not be used for parking.
b. Interior side yard:
(1) If adjacent to a single or two-family use: Twenty-five feet (25').
(2) If adjacent to all other uses: Ten feet (10').
D. Design standards:
1. All principal and accessory uses must meet applicable site development standards in chapter 19 of this title, as approved by the zoning administrator.
2. Other principal uses:
a. All exterior walls must have equal design consideration to include materials, color, articulation and general aesthetics, as approved by the zoning administrator.
b. Building elevations that face a public street shall have either fifteen percent (15%) of the wall facing the street consisting of windows and/or entrance areas or include other design elements, as approved by the zoning administrator. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024; amd. Ord. 2025-02, 3-24-2025)
10-12B-7: MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT:
A. Single-family: Thirty-five feet (35').
B. Two-family and Multi-family: Forty-five feet (45'). (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12B-8: MAXIMUM IMPERVIOUS SURFACE COVERAGE:
Impervious surface coverage, inclusive of all structures, impermeable surfaces and detention ponds shall be limited to thirty five percent (35%) of the lot area. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12B-9: ACCESSORY BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES AND USES:
In addition to above, as governed by section 10-18-3 of this title. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12C-1: PURPOSE:
The RLD-3 district is intended to provide a mix of low density housing types including single-family, two-family twin home or duplex and multi-family townhouse/rowhouse, triplex and apartments. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12C-2: PERMITTED USES:
See residential use table in section 10-18-1 of this title for permitted uses. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12C-3: ACCESSORY USES:
Noncommercial greenhouses and conservatories.
Private residential garages, parking spaces and carports. Private residential garages are to be used for storing the private passenger vehicles belonging to the family upon the premises, and shall not be used to conduct commercial business, service or industry.
Private swimming pools, tennis courts and other recreational facilities.
Sheds and similar buildings for storage of domestic supplies and noncommercial recreational equipment.
Towers supporting amateur radio antennas and which meet the requirements of chapter 17, article D of this title. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12C-4: PROVISIONAL USES:
10-12C-5: CONDITIONAL USES:
10-12C-6: LOT REQUIREMENTS AND SETBACKS:
The following requirements shall be observed in an RLD-3 district subject to additional requirements, exceptions and modifications set forth in this title:
A. Lot Area:
1. Dwelling: Four thousand (4,000) square feet per dwelling unit.
2. Other principal uses: No minimum.
B. Lot Width:
1. Single-family: Forty feet (40') per dwelling unit.
2. Two-family, Multi-family Townhouse/Rowhouse or Triplex: Twenty-five feet (25') per dwelling unit.
3. Multi-family Apartments and Townhouse/Rowhouse or Triplex Cluster Development: One hundred feet (100').
4. Other principal uses: No minimum.
C. Setbacks:
1. Single-family, Two-family, Multi-family Townhouse/Rowhouse, Triplex Dwelling:
a. Front yard: Twenty feet (20') except that dwellings with attached accessory garages with doors facing street must be twenty-five feet (25').
b. Rear yard: Twenty feet (20').
c. Interior side yard: Five feet (5').
(1) Common wall: Zero feet (0').
d. Street side yard: Twelve feet (12') except walls with garage doors facing street must be twenty-five feet (25').
2. Building separation between end units on same lot: Ten feet (10').
3. Multi-family Apartments:
a. Front yard, Street side yard and Rear yard: Twenty-five feet (25').
(1) Front yard and Street side yard shall not be used for parking.
b. Interior side yard:
(1) If adjacent to a single or two-family use: Twenty-five feet (25').
(2) If adjacent to all other uses: Ten feet (10').
c. Building separation between end units on same lot: Ten feet (10').
4. Other principal uses
a. Front yard, Street side yard, Rear yard: Twenty-five feet (25').
(1) Front yard and Street side yard shall not be used for parking.
b. Interior side yard:
(1) If adjacent to a single or two-family use: Twenty-five feet (25').
(2) If adjacent to all other uses: Ten feet (10').
D. Design standards:
1. All principal and accessory uses must meet applicable site development standards in chapter 19 of this title, as approved by the zoning administrator.
2. Multi-family Apartments and other principal uses:
a. All exterior walls must have equal design consideration to include materials, color, articulation and general aesthetics, as approved by the zoning administrator.
b. Building elevations that face a public street shall have either fifteen percent (15%) of the wall facing the street consisting of windows and/or entrance areas or include other design elements, as approved by the zoning administrator. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12C-7: MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT:
A. Single-family: Thirty-five feet (35').
B. Two-family: Forty-five feet (45').
C. Multi-family:
1. If structure is within 150 ft of a principal residential structure in residential low density zone: Forty-five feet (45').
2. If structure is more than 150 ft of a principal residential structure in residential low density zone: Fifty-five (55'). (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12C-8: MAXIMUM IMPERVIOUS SURFACE COVERAGE:
Impervious surface coverage, inclusive of all structures, impermeable surfaces and detention ponds, shall be limited to sixty percent (60%) of the lot area. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12C-9: ACCESSORY BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES AND USES:
In addition to above, as governed by section 10-18-3 of this title. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12D-1: PURPOSE:
The RMD district is intended to provide a mix of medium density housing types including single-family, two-family twin home or duplex and multi-family townhouse/rowhouse, triplex and apartments. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12D-2: PERMITTED USES:
See residential use table in section 10-18-1 of this title for permitted uses. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12D-3: ACCESSORY USES:
Noncommercial greenhouses and conservatories.
Private residential garages, parking spaces and carports. Private residential garages are to be used for storing the private passenger vehicles belonging to the family upon the premises, and shall not be used to conduct commercial business, service or industry.
Private swimming pools, tennis courts and other recreational facilities.
Sheds and similar buildings for storage of domestic supplies and noncommercial recreational equipment.
Towers supporting amateur radio antennas and which meet the requirements of chapter 17, article D of this title. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12D-4: PROVISIONAL USES:
10-12D-5: CONDITIONAL USES:
10-12D-6: LOT REQUIREMENTS AND SETBACKS:
The following requirements shall be observed in an RMD district subject to additional requirements, exceptions and modifications set forth in this title:
A. Lot Area:
1. Dwelling: Two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet per dwelling unit.
2. Other principal uses: No minimum.
B. Lot Width:
1. Single-family: Forty feet (40') per dwelling unit.
2. Two-family, Multi-family Townhouse/Rowhouse or Triplex: Twenty-five feet (25') per dwelling unit.
3. Multi-family Apartments and Townhouse/Rowhouse or Triplex Cluster Development: One hundred feet (100').
4. Other principal uses: No minimum.
C. Setbacks:
1. Single-family, Two-family, Multi-family Townhouse/Rowhouse, Triplex Dwelling:
a. Front yard: Twenty feet (20') except that dwellings with attached accessory garages with doors facing street must be twenty-five feet (25').
b. Rear yard: Twenty feet (20').
c. Interior side yard: Five feet (5').
(1) Common wall: Zero feet (0').
d. Street side yard: Twelve feet (12') except walls with garage doors facing street must be twenty-five feet (25').
2. Building separation between end units on same lot: Ten feet (10').
3. Multi-family Apartments:
a. Front yard, Street side yard and Rear yard: Twenty-five feet (25').
(1) Front yard and Street side yard shall not be used for parking.
b. Interior side yard:
(1) If adjacent to a single or two-family use: Twenty-five feet (25').
(2) If adjacent to all other uses: Ten feet (10').
c. Building separation between end units on same lot: Ten feet (10').
4. Other principal uses:
a. Front yard, Street side yard, Rear yard: Twenty-five feet (25').
(1) Front yard and Street side yard shall not be used for parking.
b. Interior side yard:
(1) If adjacent to a single or two-family use: Twenty-five feet (25').
(2) If adjacent to all other uses: Ten feet (10').
D. Design standards:
1. All principal and accessory uses must meet applicable site development standards in chapter 19 of this title, as approved by the zoning administrator.
2. Multi-family Apartments and other principal uses:
a. All exterior walls must have equal design consideration to include materials, color, articulation and general aesthetics, as approved by the zoning administrator.
b. Building elevations that face a public street shall have either fifteen percent (15%) of the wall facing the street consisting of windows and/or entrance areas or include other design elements, as approved by the zoning administrator. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12D-7: MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT:
A. Single-family: Thirty-five feet (35').
B. Two-family: Forty-five feet (45').
C. Multi-family:
1. If structure is within 150 ft of a principal residential structure in residential low density zone: Forty-five feet (45').
2. If structure is more than 150 ft of a principal residential structure in residential low density zone: Fifty-five (55'). (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12D-8: MAXIMUM IMPERVIOUS SURFACE COVERAGE:
Impervious surface coverage, inclusive of all structures, impermeable surfaces and detention ponds, shall be limited to sixty percent (60%) of the lot area. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12D-9: ACCESSORY BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES AND USES:
In addition to above, as governed by section of this title. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12E-1: PURPOSE:
The RHD district is intended to provide a mix of high density housing types including multi-family townhouse/rowhouse, triplex and apartments. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12E-2: PERMITTED USES:
See residential use table in section 10-18-1 of this title for permitted uses. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12E-3: ACCESSORY USES:
Private residential garages, parking spaces and carports. Private residential garages are to be used for storing the private passenger vehicles belonging to the family upon the premises, and shall not be used to conduct commercial business, service or industry.
Private swimming pools, tennis courts and other recreational facilities.
Sheds and similar buildings for storage of domestic supplies and noncommercial recreational equipment.
Towers supporting amateur radio antennas and which meet the requirements of chapter 17, article D of this title. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12E-4: PROVISIONAL USES:
10-12E-5: CONDITIONAL USES:
10-12E-6: LOT REQUIREMENTS AND SETBACKS:
The following minimum requirements shall be observed in an RHD district subject to additional requirements, exceptions and modifications set forth in this title:
A. Lot Area:
1. Dwelling: One thousand five hundred (1,500) square feet per dwelling unit.
2. Other principal uses: No minimum.
B. Lot Width:
1. Multi-family Townhouse/Rowhouse or Triplex: Twenty-five feet (25') per dwelling unit.
2. Multi-family Apartments and Townhouse/Rowhouse or Triplex Cluster Development: One hundred feet (100').
3. Other principal uses: No minimum.
C. Setbacks:
1. Multi-family Townhouse/Rowhouse or Triplex Dwelling:
a. Front yard: Twenty feet (20') except that dwellings with attached accessory garages with doors facing street must be twenty-five feet (25').
b. Rear yard: Twenty feet (20').
c. Interior side yard: Five feet (5').
(1) Common wall: Zero feet (0').
d. Street side yard: Twelve feet (12') except walls with garage doors facing street must be twenty-five feet (25').
e. Building separation between end units on same lot: Ten feet (10').
2. Multi-family Apartments:
a. Front yard, Street side yard and Rear yard: Twenty-five feet (25').
(1) Front yard and Street side yard shall not be used for parking.
b. Interior side yard:
(1) If adjacent to a single or two-family use: Twenty-five feet (25').
(2) If adjacent to all other uses: Ten feet (10').
c. Building separation between end units on same lot: Ten feet (10').
3. Other principal uses
a. Front yard, Street side yard, Rear yard: Twenty-five feet (25').
(1) Front yard and Street side yard shall not be used for parking.
b. Interior side yard:
(1) If adjacent to a single or two-family use: Twenty-five feet (25').
(2) If adjacent to all other uses: Ten feet (10').
D. Design standards:
1. All principal and accessory uses must meet applicable site development standards in chapter 19 of this title, as approved by the zoning administrator.
2. Multi-family Apartments and other principal uses:
a. All exterior walls must have equal design consideration to include materials, color, articulation and general aesthetics, as approved by the zoning administrator.
b. Building elevations that face a public street shall have either fifteen percent (15%) of the wall facing the street consisting of windows and/or entrance areas or include other design elements, as approved by the zoning administrator. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12E-7: MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT:
A. Multi-family:
1. If structure is within 150 ft of a principal residential structure in residential low density zone: Forty-five feet (45').
2. If structure is more than 150 ft of a principal residential structure in residential low density zone: Fifty-five (55'). (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12E-8: MAXIMUM IMPERVIOUS SURFACE COVERAGE:
Impervious surface coverage, inclusive of all structures, impermeable surfaces and detention ponds, shall be limited to seventy percent (70%) of the lot area. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)
10-12E-9: ACCESSORY BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES AND USES:
In addition to above, as governed by section 10-18-3 of this title. (Ord. 2024-01, 3-25-2024)